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New Zealand
AUSTRALASIA & OCEANIA
FACTFILE
OFFICIAL NAME: New Zealand
DATE OF FORMATION: 1947
CAPITAL: Wellington
POPULATION: 4.27 million
TOTAL AREA: 103,737 sq. miles
(268,680 sq. km)
DENSITY: 41 people per sq. mile
LANGUAGES: English, Maori
RELIGIONS: Anglican 24%, other 22%,
Presbyterian 18%, nonreligious 16%,
Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%
ETHNIC MIX: European 75%, Maori 15%,
other 7%, Samoan 3%
GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary system
CURRENCY: New Zealand dollar = 100 cents
Lying in the South Pacific, 990 miles (1600 km)
southeast of Australia, New Zealand comprises North and South
Islands, separated by the Cook Strait, and many smaller islands.
GEOGRAPHY
North Island, noted for hot springs
and geysers, has the bulk of the
population. South Island is mostly
mountainous, with eastern lowlands.
CLIMATE
Generally temperate and damp.
The far north is almost subtropical,
whereas southern winters are cold.
PEOPLE & SOCIETY
Maoris were the first settlers,
1200 years ago. Today’s majority
European population is descended
mainly from British migrants who settled
after 1840. Maoris’ living and education
standards are generally lower than
average. The government is continuing
to negotiate the settlement of Maori
land claims.
THE ECONOMY
Tourism is the biggest foreign-
exchange earner. Modern agricultural
sector; world’s top exporter of dairy
products. Hi-tech manufacturing.
Open economy. Strong trade links.
INSIGHT: New Zealand women were
the first to get the vote (1893)
200 km200 miles002000m/6562ft
1000m/3281ft
500m/1640ft
200m/656ft
Sea LevelTasman
SeaCook StraitPACIFIC
OCEANSouthernAlps^North IslandSouth IslandStewart IslandHamiltonAucklandHastingsRotorua
New PlymouthTaurangaBlenheimGreymouthQueenstownPalmerston
NorthChristchurchDunedinTimaruInvercargillWELLINGTON